São Vicente Island

Discovered on the day of St. Vincent, the January 22 of 1462, the island of São Vicente, is rather flat in its topography, it has an area of 228 km2, and its greatest distance is 24 km towards east to west while heading north to south it is no more than 16 Km long.

Despite the strong erosion the marks of ancient volcanism are very evident as confirmed by the many craters. The island is extremely dry, with water for public consumption obtained by desalination of sea water.

São Vicente was virtually uninhabited until the mid-nineteenth century. when the island capital, the town of Mindelo, started to develop through the port activity.

Were the English, after a pact with Portugal in 1838, installed in the island a deposit of coal used for the refueling of ships in the Atlantic routes. This created the basis for the settlement on the island.

In the crossroads for ships of various origins, due to their excellent seaport, the Porto Grande, the largest port in the country, althoug not the busiest, in the center of the main shipping routes across the Atlantic.

From here depart the ships that connect the world, but also in particular the neighboring island of Santo Antao, with which it has a growing complementarity.

This maritime centrality is unmatched in the rest of the archipelago, has converted the city of Mindelo, in the most cosmopolitan of Cape Verde, which, produced a very interesting miscegenation. Its qualities, urban and civic, are a reference.

The second most populated island is by its genesis, extremely open, intellectual and sportive. Developed an internationally recognized artistic ability, notably, in the music, as this is the land of the great Cape verdean singer Cesaria Evora, but also in the fine Arts, literature, theatre, dance and movies.

The historic center, where stands the Governor's Palace, reveals the architectural charm of an old colonial and very well preserved city. The central square, Praça Nova, a quirky place for gathering and socializing, animates the Mindelo nights. From the top of Fortim d'el Rei, which is preparing the construction of real estate and tourism development of high level, the city and its bay are offered to the visitor. The replica of the Tower of Belém recalls its colonial origin, Portugal and Europe are not so far away.

Leaving the city, the rise to peak in Monte Verde, the highest point on the island with 774 meters, provides a breathtaking view of the island and its bays. In front of Mindelo Bay, stands the ex-libris of the island, the mount "Cara" (named for its resemblance to a human profile, "cara" is face in portugese) and the islet of Passaros, with 93 meters in altitude and as many in diameter, in which stands the lighthouse Dom Luiz I, opened the July 15, 1882. Watching the Mindelo from its peak is also a great view.

The São Vicente beaches, aren't the strong point of this island, even so they are very enjoyable and are distributed around the entire island. They can be found in the very city of Mindelo, on Laginha beach, and outside in the wide Bay of Salamansa in Baía das Gatas with its protected and warm waters, in São Pedro, Praia Grande or Calhau. Scroll through them on a tour around the island, will reveal the quaint and the remnants of a once fertile Ribeira de Julião and the fishing villages of Calhau and São Pedro, whose charms are the calm and endless horizon of blue sea, flanked by some volcanic features (Baía, Calhau and Viana). With the growing influx of tourists to the island, it certainly deserved the construction of a hotel complex.

Permanent cultural events and nightlife are other of the attractions that advise a visit to this island. The nights in Mindelo, with its bars, restaurants and nightclubs, express the joyfull spirit of the people of this island as well. In all the experiences, the visitor will leave undoubtably, with some great memories.

The local culinary specialty is the "Tuna Steak with favona rice".

Festivals

Not being rich in festivities, this island's has some of the most emblematic festive manifestations of the archipelago.

The Festival of Baía das Gatas, the known international music festival where thousands of people from all over the country and abroad have fun dancing with the music, is held annually in August, on the beach of the same name.

The Carnival, with its lively and colorful costumes is a small replica of the world famous Brazilian Carnival parades. Both reveal the high level of traditional achievements of São Vicente. The "cola Sanjon" high point of the festival of São João (June) also has some expression on this island.